The spice hits just right at this KC area ramen shop. It keeps me coming back
Over the past year, I’ve been occasionally dog-sitting in Overland Park for a friend, and it’s given me the opportunity to try new places in a part of Kansas City that in the past I’ve only visited for shopping purposes.
Of all the restaurants in Overland Park that I’ve had the privilege of trying for the first time, none have called to me like KC Craft Ramen, 6830 W. 119th St.
The authentic Japanese ramen noodle shop is unlike anything in the Kansas City area, which is exactly what owner Kenichi Ota wanted when he and his partner, Akiko Ota, opened it in 2023 with friend Hiroyuki Kawashima.
Born in Nagano, Japan, and having spent nearly two decades in Los Angeles before relocating to the Kansas City metro area, Kenichi Ota spends his time in the United States perfecting his ramen and teaching others to do the same.
You can taste the perfection on many of the menu’s items, but none have spoken to me like the spicy creamy chicken, one of their ramen bowls made with diced chicken chashu, chicken mince, bean sprouts, black mushrooms, corn, a seasoned egg, shredded green onion, seasoned bamboo shoots and chicken broth. The spicy aspect comes from their custom spicy oil (my girlfriend gets the non-spicy version, and both versions are $13.98).
Every ingredient, from the noodles to the soup base to the oils and toppings, are made from scratch every day, Ota said. The focus inside the restaurant is on every meal’s authenticity and quality, and you can taste it in every bite and slurp.
“Ramen is not just food, it’s a soul food in Japan,” Ota told Star reporter J.M. Banks in September. “It’s also a way to bring people together and that’s why I do this, not just to serve dishes, but to share something meaningful.”
- 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-9:30 p.m. every Tuesday-Thursday
- 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Friday
- 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
- 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
What to eat at KC Craft Ramen
The noodles in KC Craft Ramen’s spicy creamy chicken bowl are the star of the show and are rich in flavor, which is amplified by the 100% chicken-based broth. The chicken, now cut up into small pieces at the lunch hour, soaks up the broth and packs an even more flavorful punch.
The spicy oil is the right amount of spice for my liking. There is some regret with every bite, but you overlook the burning sensation for how well everything blends together.
The appetizers on the menu are also made fresh, like the fan-favorite and owner-recommended KC Pepper Chicken. It’s six bite-sized pieces of fried chicken slathered in an original sweet and savory sauce, served with mixed greens and a lemon to squeeze the juice out of for $8.98.
Ota didn’t reveal what ingredients go into the sauce outside of black and white pepper, but whatever he uses is working. The chicken’s outer layer is crunchy and its inside is tender, making for an enjoyable appetizer before the main dish.
The pieces of chicken also mesh well with the spicy broth, if you decide to dip it in the bowl to add an extra kick.
Just be careful to not splash some of the broth in your eye when you’re eating. The spicy oil does burn. A lot.
Inside KC Craft Ramen
KC Craft Ramen’s ambiance adds to the dining experience. Ota said he wanted to bring a part of his home to the KC area, and it’s reflected in the interior designs.
“Our concept is a family restaurant,” Ota said. “The energy of the customer you want to feed is from kids to grandpa and grandma.”
One side of the tight walkway to the cash register is lined up with Japanese treats, like mochi. Guests can purchase drinks like ramune (a flavored soda that comes in a bottle that you have to pop the marble at the top to open) before going up to the register to place their orders.
The other side is filled with Japanese trading cards from popular games like Pokémon and figures from animes like “One Piece,” “My Hero Academia” and “Demon Slayer.”
In one of my previous visits, they had the McDonald’s Japan-exclusive “Neon Genesis Evangelion” figures that had items from the fast food chain transform into one of the three mech suits from the original series for sale, and I wish I’d bought them.
The televisions hanging on the walls inside one of the seating areas plays classic animes “Dragon Ball Z,” “Sailor Moon” and “Naruto,” and City pop songs, a soft style of pop that gained fame in Japan in the 1970s and 1980s, play over the speakers.
A second, smaller room is off to the side with pink flowers hanging from the ceilings and another TV, showcasing walkthroughs of Japanese neighborhoods.
The chatter of everyone around you eating is also part of the experience. It’s hard not to feel like you’re in someone’s home enjoying a nice meal.
“Our store is like small Japan, and I want them to feel it using the food, atmosphere and service,” Ota said. “That’s what we’re trying to do, and also we want to enjoy the fun with our customers.”
Ota said they are more than 1,000 ways to make ramen. It’s hard to believe there’s a better style than his.
When I’m not five minute away from the restaurant on dog-sitting duties, KC Craft Ramen is more than worth the 25-minute drive. The ramen also makes for great leftovers.
“I’m so happy because a lot of people are coming to support us,” Ota said. “Thank you for welcoming us to the city.”
